Sonics find support for arena upgrade

OLYMPIA -- The Seattle Sonics have found friends in high places to push a plan to pay for a multimillion-dollar remodeling of the Seattle Center and KeyArena.

Seattle Democrat Jim McIntire, chairman of the House Finance Committee, sponsored legislation (House Bill 3233) Wednesday that would extend the restaurant and hotel taxes originally enacted to build Safeco Field to help upgrade the Sonics' home.

The new developments come as a task force looking at Seattle Center finances recommended a $200 million remodeling of KeyArena, according to Mayor Greg Nickels' spokeswoman, Marianne Bichsel. But she said Nickels is not ready to endorse or reject the recommendation.

The Sonics unsuccessfully lobbied the Legislature last year for remodeling money.

This year, the team turned up the pressure by raising the possibility of moving to a more receptive host city, possibly Bellevue.

Team officials argue that since a $73.4 million KeyArena remodeling 12 years ago, the luxury suites have become outdated compared with those at the two new stadiums across town.

They say the team continues to face an $8 million annual bill for debt service on that last renovation and lost $16 million last year -- and $58 million since 2001.

McIntire said it is an issue the state needs to start thinking about.

"We are getting kind of constipated in being able to move ahead on this discussion. This is an appropriate way to start the discussion," McIntire said. "Traditionally, we handle this stuff piecemeal when we get jammed into it. It would serve us well to try to take a broader, long-term look at it."

He said the Legislature could reject his proposal; neighboring businesses have said an expanded KeyArena could cut into their profits; and the idea of publicly financing stadiums for professional sports teams is always controversial.

Nonetheless, "It's time for the state to step back and think about how it funds sports facilities, arts facilities or other institutions that are part of our cultural heritage."

If the Sonics get boxed out in the House, they've got an open lane to a hearing in the Senate, thanks to a former season-ticket holder.

Margarita Prentice, D-Renton, chairwoman of the Senate Ways and Means Committee, also initiated a tax extension bill for KeyArena. She said she sponsored Senate Bill 6849 to "bring some gravitas to this discussion."

"KeyArena really does need to be fixed up," Prentice said.

When she heard people criticize the team for wanting to upgrade the suites she said, "That's how they make money, and that's how the money stays here."

Prentice said the state is often "begging to billionaires out there." Just because people such as Seahawks owner Paul Allen make money, "I don't expect him to be a philanthropist. I feel the same about (Sonics owner) Howard Schultz," Prentice said. "He stepped in when we really were going to lose them."

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